Part of this chapter was daniellm's idea! And to Converse r life, elf-princess4 and norisclub: thank you very much for your nice reviews!

Chapter 2

Ariel's POV

Walking into the castle was a hassle because Eric was right, the whole kingdom was apparently searching for us, well, him. The palace servants were so relieved to see him at last. They were worried that their beloved prince was lost, never to return. So of course we were bombarded with questions, "Where were you?" "What took so long?" "What happened?"

I remained silent to keep from alarming anyone and Eric simply replied to all of them saying, "I'm home now, I'm not hurt and we're very tired so we'll be going now," just like that. Everyone noticed the urgency in his voice and they backed away. He must be exhausted. We walked through the palace hand in hand. I was happy to be with him now, but I still wanted to be with him the whole night.

We passed the hallway to my bedroom, "Where are we going?" I asked looking back as the hallway was behind us. I thought he was going to tuck me into bed and wait with me like he said he would.

Instead he replied, "We're going to see Carlotta and Grimsby and tell them the great news!" Oh, the news of us together? I thought we could wait until tomorrow for that, I was just so tired. But Eric, I guess was really excited to share.

"Eric?" I slowed him down, "We're still soaked, you know," Eric looked down to his clothing and realized it was still clinging to him, then he looked at me and saw how my lovely blue dress sagged to the floor, my red hair lost all of its volume and the big bow in the back was drooping. We weren't dripping anymore but still wet. "Can't we tell them in the morning?" Eric's excited expression turned to disappointment because I did have a point, "Sure," and we turned around to go back to my room.

Eric, being a gentleman, opened the door for me and I walked in.

The room I was given was big and welcoming, the paintings on the wall were very detailed and beautiful to look at, I was staring at one this morning. The bed offered comfort beyond anything I've ever slept on, it was warm and soft with fluffy pillows to lay my head on. It was like sleeping on a cloud.

Still at the door, Eric said, "I'm going to my room to change and I'll be right back"

"Okay," I nodded and went forward to the dresser to find my silky pink nightie, so smooth I rubbed it in luxury. Eric had closed the door leaving me to get ready for bed. I was already missing him.

Once I was finished, I went over to the balcony, mindlessly combing my hair with my dinglehopper and stared at the night sky. I breathed in the salty sea air. It was so peaceful. The moonlight was breath-taking and the way its reflection danced on the water was enchanting. The stars shone in every kind of brightness, some very dim, some almost as bright as the glowing fish that swam in the sea. All of this was so beautiful; I couldn't understand why Daddy thought that this was so bad.

Sebastian appeared on the edge of the railing. I'd completely forgotten about him, "Sebastian! I have my voice back!" I was so excited to share the news. He looked at me like it was a miracle; of course, it was, "How? How did you get dat boy to kiss you?"

I explained everything and he smiled, "Ariel, dat's amazing! I'm so happy for you, child," Then he frowned, "What's wrong Sebastian?" What could bring him down now?

"Ariel, you know I can't stay here forever. I have a home down in de sea. So I must say goodbye now," No. I didn't want Sebastian to leave, other than Eric he was my only friend up here on land, "Oh Sebastian, I'm going to miss you! Can you tell Flounder I love him and my Daddy and my sisters too?"

He nodded his little head and I continued, "I want them all to know that I'm happy here and that they can visit whenever they want! Oh, and be sure to explain everything to my father so he doesn't lose his temper"

Sebastian nodded again and said, "I will, and I'm going to miss you too," He started to get tears in his eyes and I picked him up to give him a goodbye hug, "I love you," I brought him in front of my face to give him a kiss like the one on the beach when I first became human. We both smiled at each other and I put him back on the railing, "You can visit too," I said, my eyes feeling watery as well, but I fought them.

"I'll be sure to," and he scurried off towards the ocean, the place my home once was.

Just then, I heard a knock on the door, obviously Eric. "Come in!" I called and looked back to the door. He entered the room with clean, crisp night clothing and smiled at the sight of me. He grabbed the nearest chair, a wooden one with tiny detailed carvings in the arm rests, set it beside my bed and sat down.

I walked over, smiling because he was here. I got under the covers and lied my head down on the pillow. "I think you're going to really like it here," Eric said. "I already am," I replied and then I let out a huge yawn and remembered I was really tired. But I didn't want to go to close my eyes. Eric is so much better than the back of my eyelids, so I fought the urge.

"Ariel, you look exhausted", he was whispering because most of the castle would be in bed by now, "You should really get some sleep", he really is an angel of a man.

I protested, "I'm not sleepy", an obvious lie that didn't convince him one bit.

I fidgeted in my spot on the bed and a piece of hair fell in front of my eyes. Eric leaned in and tucked it back in place with his fingers. My hand shot up and grabbed it before he could pull away. I put it up against my cheek and breathed in his alluring scent. He relaxed and shifted closer to the edge of the chair, he knew we'd be like that for a while.

I closed my eyes and thought of happy things like Eric and I going to town again or Eric teaching me words to the treasures I hadn't yet found looking in old shipwrecks. All the things I needed to learn, to see, to smell and taste were all at my fingertips here on land and I loved it.

With my hand still holding his up to my cheek I started to dose off, but I blinked to stay awake. No! I have to stay up! He can't leave me yet. But, oh, this is next to impossible. Besides, he must be tired too, he was trying to hide his own fatigue but I could see his eyes were heavy and so was his hand. So before I slipped away I quietly said, "I love you", and the last thing I could hold on to was the sweet sound of Eric's voice saying, "I love you too"

Eric's POV

I felt her warm, delicate hand go limp as she slowly fell asleep.

Ariel is the most beautiful girl I've ever seen, inside and out. She made my entire world brighter with her adorable giggles, the way her bright red hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, her eyes as blue as the ocean itself and the way she expressed every emotion: with all her heart.

I should leave now that she's asleep but I can't bring myself to do it. Not because of pity but because of the fact that I really do love her. I considered taking up her offer to sleep with her tonight, I want to wake up with her safely in my arms, but no, it's still too soon.

She looks even younger than sixteen when she sleeps; I guess it's true what people say. Her soft, silent breathing, her long, dark eyelashes, her button nose, everything about her was still marvelous, no, perfect. She's the one, the girl I'm going to marry. I decided I want to spend the rest of my life with Ariel.

But everything was moving so fast. I had no idea how I was going to propose to this special girl, a special girl deserves a special proposal.

I'll buy the ring to have it with me when the time comes but when will that be? There are so many possibilities to what I could do for her. Maybe I'll surprise her tomorrow and we'll see how that goes.

I'm so tired I think I might pass out, I have to let go. I took one last look at Ariel, my gaze lingering on her face, and then slowly slipped my hand from under hers being extremely careful not to wake her from her restful sleep. Before I left, I leaned down and gave her a light kiss on the top of her head and tip-toed away from the room, missing her more with every step.

Ariel's POV

My dream

I opened my eyes to be welcomed by darkness.

"ARIEL?" I looked around for the owner of the loud, authoritive voice that called my name, it sounded like a man, but I couldn't see in the shadows that surrounded me, "ARIEL, what are you doing on land?" The way he said 'land' sounded like this person was disgusted with the word itself.

Then I could see a light orange glow off in the distance. I didn't know what to do so I stayed silent and started walking towards the mysterious light; it was really the only thing to do. I needed to get out of this horrible blackness.

If this room went on forever I would go insane, but it couldn't could it? It all felt too real to not be.

The walk seemed to take ages. I would be a miracle if I got there anytime soon. So I started running but I kept tripping over my legs.

Then the voice cried out in the dark again, "ARIEL, what are you doing with this- this human?!" It seemed he could only speak in questions. But as he spoke he grew louder and angrier with every word and the glow turned into a brilliant gold light.

I stopped and threw my arms up to my face to block it, but it was too bright to shield my poor eyes. As I adjusted I could start to see the figure that I assumed was the source of this voice.

Whoever this person was, he was now about a stone's throw away. How he suddenly got so close, I didn't know, but I didn't focus on that. My eyes were just completing their adjustments and I took in the figure.

It was Daddy.

I gasped, my hand went up to my mouth and then I gasped again, not only because of my father confronting me but because I didn't make a single sound.

Daddy was the only person to be heard in this seemingly endless space I was in. It was just like I was before I kissed Eric, I was mute. His trident, the source of the blinding light, was pointed to his right. When I peered over to see what he was pointing at, I saw Eric suspended in the air, unconscious.

I ran over to him but only to have his ragdoll of a body dodge my movements, keeping at least ten feet away from me.

Daddy must have taken him and was using the powers of his trident to keep him out of my reach.

Inaudibly, I yelled at Daddy and begged him to let Eric go. I clenched my throat because it pained me to try and speak. He went on, his trident never taking its aim off of Eric, "You chose him and the surface over your family and the sea? How could you?"

I didn't bother talking, it hurt and I frowned at him angrily.

'Let him go,' I snarled in my mind.

Then, as if he could read my thoughts, my father pushed his trident closer to Eric as a threat and I reached for him, longing to grab him and use myself as a shield from Daddy's dangerous temper. I screamed and cried for him to stop torturing me like this but Daddy was ignorant of my moving mouth.

I looked around for something or someone to help me, but it was hopeless. My father was determined to have me back.

"You know what I have to do to pull you to your senses? Do you see how hard you're making this for me?" Somehow his trident got even brighter as it was charging power. Then I lost it.

What would I do without my Eric? I love him and he loves me, we're meant to be together. If he died I would die too, not physically but emotionally. My life would have no meaning, no purpose whatsoever. Sure I'd have the human treasures to discover and the endless places to go, but it would mean less than nothing to me if Eric was out of my life. He was my life now and nothing could ever change that.

Suddenly I was fully audible and I screamed, "NO!" As I watched Eric open his eyes to see Daddy give him his death blow.

Awake

Awaking from my nightmare right before Eric was blown to bits, I was still screaming at the top of my lungs. I looked around franticly for the person in which would have been dead by now. After I failed to find him I started to panic. I probably woke up the entire kingdom with my screams of terror but I didn't care, I needed Eric by my side right now.

I sat up, hugged my knees to my chest and started wailing, sobbing and muttering, "Eric," between the two. It became a cycle: wail, "Eric," sob, "Eric".

Then the door burst open, hoping it was him I looked up anxiously but it was only a few servants from the palace who had bedrooms near mine. Eric's room was probably on the other side of the castle, surely he heard me and will be on his way, right?

I restarted my cycle again, scaring the people watching my episode, I looked up again and saw no Eric to come to my aid, so I pulled the covers over my head, still sitting up, still muttering his name.

I heard more footsteps come to the door. I really had started something, a crowd was building and I could hear people talking amongst themselves, wondering what happened but no one wanted to get close to me, shocked as to how I now had a voice.

Moments later a familiar voice coming down the hallway was calling my name and my heart melted. He came for me. He was trying to politely tell people to move out of his way, anxiety hanging off his words.

Then I heard Eric fly through the door. He sat on my bed and hugged me tightly from outside the covers I cocooned myself in.

"Are you hurt?" he asked panting, I shook my head.

"Are you okay?" I thought about it, 'no, I'm not okay, I just watched my dad kill you'.

I lowered my head and shook it again. He sighed sadly and asked that everyone leave us alone. They left, closed the door and Eric pulled the covers from over my head.

I looked hideous with my puffy red eyes, sweaty skin and runny nose. So I looked away still trying to breathe between sobs. This is humiliating. But unfortunately I had to see him just to make sure he was truly there. I sniffled and turned my head to look at him and saw that he didn't have a shirt on. His chest was toned, but not ripped, a lot better than what most mermen had: eight packs and all that, I found it unattractive. Eric had perfection written all over him.

I caught myself admiring his chest and looked up at his face which was riddled with worry and confusion. I could see it in his soft blue eyes, "What happened?" they said. I shook my head once again, I didn't want to talk about it, I might never want to talk about it.

The tears welled up in my eyes remembering the threat my father put on him in my nightmare and buried my face in his bare chest.

He continued to comfort me by gently stroking the back of my head and saying soothing words to calm me down.

Someone knocked at the door and disappointment flashed through my mind because this person was interrupting our moment. The person poked their head in and I saw that it was Carlotta.

She blushed at the sight of the two of us together like this and backed out of the room, "If you two aren't too busy, I've prepared tea", she said through a crack in the door. She sounded curious but giggled to herself. Then I remembered she hadn't known about the sudden appearance of my voice either.

"Sure", I knew Eric spoke for the both of us. He let go of me and I cleaned up my wet face with my sleeve, "Come in", he said patiently. Then Carlotta poked her head in again, being cautious this time, and entered with a tray consisting of two cups, a pot of steaming hot tea and a plate with a couple of cookies with delicately iced flowers on top. She placed it next to us on the bed and gave me a hug. Eric was staring at me the whole time, "Thanks", was all I could say to her. She jumped a little bit at the sound of my voice, then moved on.

As I watched her leave she turned back to me quietly and mouthed the word 'keeper' pointing to Eric. Apparently I have Carlotta's approval! I laughed and Eric took his eyes off me and looked in the direction of where Carlotta was standing wanting to find out what was so funny. Instead he only caught her closing the door.

We sipped tea for a while but I never bothered to start any conversation and neither did Eric.

After a while the silence started to eat away at me so I thought of a random question, "Why didn't I see Mr. Grimsby at the door? I thought he, of all people, would be there,"

Eric replied, "He's a light sleeper so when he goes to bed he puts ear plugs in,"

"Hm,"

Eric finished his cookie and I was still nibbling on mine. He seemed to be thinking about something. Deeply.

Then he said slightly hesitantly, "Come on, let's go to sleep", shuffling to the other half of the bed, "What?" I asked curiously.

He chuckled under his breath, "Did you really think I would leave you after what just happened?" Honestly, I didn't.

I smiled and went under the covers where I curled up against his chest and he put his arms around me. Then he bent down to plant a kiss on my nose and placed his chin on my head which fit perfectly into the curve of his neck. Nothing could ever harm me here.

"I love you", Eric said, I could tell he was smiling. I grinned back in complete bliss.

"I love you too", I replied and we both relaxed and I fell into a peaceful, dreamless sleep.

The next morning I woke up feeling Eric's strong arms around my waist with my back to him. I said sweetly, "Good morning Eric", and Eric answered, "Good morning darling", but he didn't seem very groggy from last night, was he already awake?

"Eric, have you been awake for a while now?" He chuckled, "Maybe", and then he rolled me over so I was on top of him, and I started laughing, "Hey!" Then I lowered my head to give him a kiss which he gladly returned. This morning could not get any more perfect.

"Why didn't you wake me up?" I questioned. I knew the answer; I just wanted to hear it from him.

"I was enjoying the moment, you're so beautiful", I blushed and he kissed my hand, "Plus you looked like you had tons of sleep to catch up on. But don't worry about me, I like watching you sleep," I looked outside and the sun was already fairly high, it was late morning. Then I realized I was famished, "Eric can we go get something to eat? I'm starved!"

Instead of 'Yeah, I'm hungry too' a mischievous look crossed his face and I knew he was about to delay my request. Before I could react he grabbed me by the waist and rolled me back onto the bed.

From my side he leaned over me and started tickling. Squealing and laughing, my legs automatically kicked the air and my hands tried to swat his away. I'm really ticklish. Eventually I couldn't take it; I rolled over onto the floor trying to dodge his fingers. I knew he was following me so I got up and ran around the room.

"No! No! Stop it!" I yelled between laughs.

It didn't take long for Eric to catch me, pick me up and twirl me around. With my feet still off the floor he kissed me and gently lowered me down.

'Oh very romantic' I said sarcastically in my head. As we were kissing his hands went to my stomach and he started tickling me again. Surprised, I squealed again and he allowed me a head start to run. I went straight to the door and ran out into the hall.

I had no idea where I was going but I didn't care, this was too much fun and Eric was obviously letting me win.

Our laughter echoed through the hallways and I ran around the corner. But I stopped in my tracks when I saw Grimsby's alarmed expression.

I had forgotten that Grim had no idea my voice was back and the fact that Eric and I were officially dating and had slept together last night as well. I looked down, scared for whatever reaction might take place. I was contemplating some, going insane being one of them, when I noticed I was still bare foot in my pink nightie.

I probably looked ridiculous to him and everyone around me. I bit my lip in embarrassment.

Eric rounded the corner, wrapped his arm around my waist again and put his cheek on mine.

'What are you doing?' I thought to myself and awkwardly motioned to Grim.

Then he quickly stepped away once he was aware of the skinny, aged man staring at us with an expression that neither of us could read and a bandit bulbous snarfblat in his boney hand.

How did you like Eric's POV? I was just trying it out, plus it gave me some space to express Eric's love for her. It's hard just doing one girl's assumptions. Thanks for reading!